Tayna Honey

I have invited a few people from my home state, New South Wales, to submit a  profile for GeniMates. Tanya Honey, who is familiar to me via her blog and twitter is the first New South Welshman to appear on the site.

Thanks, Tanya, for accepting my plea to be profiled.

Date  March 2, 2011  Name  Tanya Honey

Hometown  Bangalow, NSW, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?

Bachelor of Arts - (History major)
Graduate Diploma - Librarianship
No informal studies as yet.

How did you get hooked on genealogy?

I've always been interested in history, and over time that extended into being into being curious about where my parents where from etc. After talking to one of my great aunts and seeing some photos and documents she had I became very interested about 12 years ago, but took it no further than searching a cemetery in Mudgee. 2 years ago I went on a cemetery walk organised by the local history association and located my 2xg grandparents graves, and the bug bit!
 

What is your day job?

Reference Librarian in an academic library

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

Seriously for 2 years, vaguely for about 12.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I can lay no claim to any areas of expertise, but have a particular fondness for tracking down articles, family notices etc in old newspapers.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups

I have recently joined one of the local history associations in the area, the Richmond River Historical Society which is wonderful. I am about to join FIBIS, Families in British India to track down some of my husband's ancestors who are from India.

What are the lands of your ancestors?

My ancestors are mostly from England, Scotland and Ireland. There is also a German or maybe Dutch connection, one of my first "brick walls", and I discovered last week a 2xg grandfather who was born in the USA - my one and only North American ancestor.

What Family Names are you Researching?

Bradford, Dawes, De Quadros, Dyson, Evans, Goodhew, Hetherington, Honey, Kirkland, Nevis, Pearson, Pickett, Rankin, Roach, Rosario, Simmons, Smede, St Clair Honey, Trimble, Walker, Wentworth, Williamson, Xavier.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?

My favourite ancestor, at the moment, is my mother's great grandfather David John SMEDE. I have discovered snippets of his life from when he was born in London in 1847 in Census records and BDMs etc, but remain in the dark as to when and how he came to Australia. This makes him intriguing to me, but what makes him my favourite ancestor is his obituary which describes him as a gentleman. I wish I had known him. (My Nans have also been very favourite ancestors as well!)

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?

I think London. I've always loved London, but never knew of my London ancestors when I have visited so would like to go back and walk down the streets where they lived - if they're still there.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?

I love Twitter for finding out about new websites, resources and interesting genies to follow. The other resource I couldn't do without is Trove, particularly the historic newspapers because the articles put your ancestors lives' into context for you.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?
Family Treemaker

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

If Yes What is the URL? On Ancestry

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Ancestry, Facebook, Genes Reunited, Geni, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Yes

What are your blogs' URLs?

https://tstclairhoney.wordpress.com/

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?

Reading

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

The Secret River by Kate Grenville. (May be classified as borderline genealogy...)

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?

It is up in our kitchen: Live well, Laugh often, Love much.

If you have anything else to share please add it below
Genealogy is a wonderful hobby, I only wish I had more time to indulge in it. With 2 young children, 4 and 2, I don't find as much time to do research as I would like. Hopefully next year I will begin some further study to change career paths and delve more into the world of genealogy research. What a wonderful job!

I am enjoying reading the Genimates profiles, and feel honoured Geniaus asked me to contribute.

Thank you